HUT72182A - Cabinet-style apparatus for transferring heat to food and cooling food - Google Patents

Description

ACCOUNT FOR HEATING AND COOLING FOOD

CABINET TYPE EQUIPMENT

BELTEC INTERNATIONAL,

1225 Corporate Boulevard, Aurora, Illinois 60507. US

Inventor:

LIEBERMANN, Benno, E.; Luisville, KY US

International filing date: Priority:

International application number:

International Publication Number:

11.05.1993.

12.09.1992. (987,635) US

PCT / US93 / 10607

WO 94/13184

81775-8451 VJ / CS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a drawer cabinet-type apparatus for heating and cooling food, which has a dual function of warming and cooling food. More particularly, the present invention relates to an oven for cooking and heating foods and for keeping food cooked in such ovens at constant temperatures. More particularly, the invention relates to a furnace which combines radiation and conduction cooking and heating with individually controlled temperature shelves. Combined radiant / conduction heating is provided by heat energy transmitted through a serpentine heating channel.

The invention further relates to an apparatus which performs a heat-conducting cooling function which flows a heat-conducting fluid through a refrigerant. In order to make the drawer cabinet apparatus of the present invention suitable for heating or cooling food, a freezer / refrigerator assembly is used. The refrigeration assembly comprises a run / cool select unit which is connected directly to a plurality of tubes located at the rear of the unit and a freeze / cool unit is connected to the feed unit, so that conduction cooling is preferred to conventional radiant cooling.

Furnaces for cooking and heating food are well known in the art. In some of these ovens, radiant heating is accomplished by transferring heat indirectly to the food through the air between the heat source and the food. Other furnaces use conductive-type heating, where the food is heated so that it is in direct contact with a high temperature surface.

Some furnaces use a combination of radiant and conductive heating. U.S. Pat. No. 4,224,862 describes a shelf and a serpent-shaped arrangement arranged in a hollow tube arranged inside a shelf through which heating fluid is conveyed.

Trays or shelves for drawers for hot meals are shown in Figures 4 and 5 of US 3,030,486. This patent further discloses electric heating elements, wherein the heating medium is steam.

The state of the art in heating solutions also includes patent FR 2 611 438. This patent discloses an oven which utilizes hot plates welded to one another in a chamber and has hot liquid circuits on the inside of the plates. The oven is suitable for baking bread, biscuits, cakes and pizzas.

The prior art includes a vertically arranged drawer cabinet with vertically spaced rectangular rack shelves that are individually controlled for temperature. These shelves are made of heat-conductive material. Specifically, these shelves are made of two aluminum sheets of different thicknesses. The thickness of the thicker plate is approx. At 40/1000 inches, this forms the top surface of the shelf. The thinner plate has a thickness of approx. At 30/1000 inches, this forms the bottom surface. The two disks are connected by roll-over to form a serpentine-like fluid channel in the lower surface, the portions of which are spaced further apart. The heating fluid is introduced through a conduit through a fluid inlet and is discharged through a fluid outlet located along the wider side of the shelf. As a result of such an inlet arrangement, the snake-shaped channel is wound in a direction parallel to the width of the shelf.

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Although the above prior art device was an improvement on earlier heating and warming drawer cabinets, it was found that the top surface sheet was not sufficiently thick. As a result, the upper surface became uneven and knurled during the roller joint operation. As a result, the upper surface had raised and recessed areas which prevented even heating of the food placed on it by conductive heating. In addition, due to the design of the serpentine channel extending substantially parallel to the shelf width, the entire surface area of the top surface of the shelf could not be effectively and evenly heated. Thus, unheated regions were formed on the upper surface.

Further, cooling technology is known in the art. A device having both heating and cooling properties is known from U.S. Patent No. 4,235,282. This patent discloses a tray cabinet comprising a freezing device which pumps cooling air between removable tray shelves and means for individually heating the ranges defined in the tray. However, in this patent, the tray cabinet is cooled by radiation cooling rather than by more efficient conductive cooling.

U.S. Patent No. 4,346,756 also discloses a device which is suitable for both heating and cooling. This patent describes an apparatus for selective heating of individual portions of food in a refrigerated environment. However, in the case of the apparatus of this patent, cooling is effected by radiant cooling and not by conduction cooling.

PCT / WO91 / 12473 and WO 92/00018, filed August 22, 1991 and February 2, 1992, respectively.

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discloses devices which are suitable for both heating and cooling. WO 91/12473 describes a warming trolley having several shelves, each with a food tray. Each shelf has at least three raised heating plates, which allow heating to different temperatures within each tray. WO 92/00018 discloses apparatus which is also suitable for heating or cooling food. This apparatus comprises a chamber having a plurality of support means, each support device consisting of tubular members spaced apart. Liquid is heated or cooled through the tubular members to heat or cool the food on the holding device. Neither description describes the quick coupling assembly, its use, or its benefits.

The prior art also includes U.S. Patent Nos. 3,205,033, 3,965,969, 3,982,584 and 4,103,736, which also describe heating and cooling characteristics. Each of these known devices exhibits one of the above-mentioned drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks by providing a drawer or rack cabinet apparatus for cooling and heating food. The apparatus of the present invention utilizes conductive heating and refrigerant transfer as opposed to conventional solutions, where practically only conventional radiant heating / cooling methods are used.

Thus, the object has been achieved by providing an apparatus for heating and cooling food, comprising a vertical cabinet and rectangular support shelves arranged vertically spaced from each other, the shelves being made of a heat-conducting material, a liquid conductive fluid at the upper end of the cabinet. a flow pump is provided; inlet terminals and outlet terminals coupled to the temperature control means along long sides of the shelves; the cabinet is provided with supply piping, which is removably coupled to the inlet connectors, and inside the cabinet is a return pipeline, with which the outlet is interconnected by a releasable connection, the apparatus is characterized in that the shelves are provided with individual they are in the form of a unitary structure where at least 65% of the straight sections of the snake-shaped channels are parallel to the long side of the shelf, the shelves are fitted with quick-release fittings that connect the shelves with a cabinet-releasable connection; and have return plug pipe sections that have a socket attached to the inlet and outlet connectors of the shelves and when removing shelves from the cabinet, the substrate portions are separated from the plug portions so as to prevent fluid loss from the shelves to the plug portions and to prevent air from entering the feed pipes and return pipes.

Preferably, the cabinet has a fluid flow pump from a runner to a refrigerant and a cabinet-connected refrigerant assembly, the refrigerant assembly comprising a connector connected to the rear of the cabinet, a fluid-flow valve and a fluid-valve valve ; a cooling unit separate from the cabinet, a heat exchanger / evaporator, a compressor for the cooling unit,

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a vapor separator, flow pump and pump motor for cooling and recooling the liquid flow medium; the coupling unit being connected to the cooling unit by an inlet pipe, wherein the inlet pipe conveys a fluid flow medium from the cabinet via the connecting unit to the cooling unit for re-cooling; and a conduit connecting the cooling unit to the connection unit and cabinet, wherein the outlet conduit transfers the cooled liquid flow medium from the cooling unit to the connection unit and cabinet shelves.

According to the invention, there is further provided a vertical cabinet for transferring heat to the food in the cabinet, comprising:

(a) shelves which are arranged in a vertical cupboard and which are kept vertically spaced apart for storing food inside the cupboard and which have a substantially flat upper and lower surface and are made of heat-conducting material;

(b) a snaking line electric heater completely enclosed within each shelf;

c) an electrical power supply at the upper end of the cabinet for supplying electric current through the heating means;

d) inlet and outlet connectors for electric current input and output to the heating device;

e) electrical wiring inside the cabinet to transmit electrical power from the electrical weaving;

(f) electrical grounding wiring within the cabinet to direct the electrical current from the serpentine-shaped electrical running gear; and

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g) a first electrical connection means for attaching the inlet connector to the electrical wiring and a second electrical connection means for attaching the outlet connector to the electrical grounding wiring.

According to the invention, there is provided a shelf for heating and cooking food which is substantially rectangular and has a substantially flat top and a substantially flat bottom surface; a snake-shaped electric heating device is completely enclosed in the shelf for supplying electric current through the shelf, the surface area of the device being greater than half the surface area of the shelf surface, thereby providing uniform heating of at least the upper surface of each shelf; undesirable temperature gradients along shelf surfaces.

According to the invention there is further provided apparatus for heating food consisting of a vertical cabinet, the vertical cabinet having vertically spaced, rectangular shelves for storing food inside the cabinet, the holding shelves being made of a heat-conductable moldable material, the bottom being formed on a surface plate by applying an upper surface by forming a plate; a pump for heating heated liquid through heated channels at the upper end of the cabinet; the liquid heated along the long side of each shelf is provided with an inlet connection through the heated channels, the long shelves being provided with an outlet connection along the long side of the shelves to discharge the heated liquid from the heated channels; a supply line connecting the pump to the heating channels by means of a releasable connection to each inlet connection; and, by means of a releasable connection with the outlet connectors, a drainage pipe connecting the heating channels to the pump, characterized in that the shelves have a heating snakelike channel formed in the plate of the lower surface and the predominant portion of the track forming the snaking line. and the upper surface plate is at least 1.75 times thicker than the lower surface plate.

According to the invention, there is further provided a vertical cabinet for transferring heat to the products inside the cabinet, which comprises:

(a) a number of rectangular shelves, placed in a vertical cupboard, for containing food inside the cupboard and spaced apart in vertical directions, made of a heat-conducting material;

b) a snaking line heating means for each of the retaining shelves, which means are formed of one structural component with each shelf, the majority of the straight sections of the snaking line being parallel to the length of the shelf;

c) an energy circulating element at the upper end of the cupboard for circulating energy through the heating means;

d) inlet and outlet connectors for energy to and from heating devices;

e) feeding pipelines for transferring energy inside the cabinet from the energy circulation element to the heating means;

(f) return ducts inside the cabinet to facilitate the return of energy from the heating means to the energy flow element.

A vertical heat transfer cabinet according to the invention is preferred, in which the inlet and outlet terminals are located close to each other.

It is further preferred that the inlet and outlet connectors are arranged along the length of the shelves.

It is advantageous for the vertical heat transfer cabinet according to the invention if the inlet and outlet connections are connected to the shelves by means of a releasable connection via quick-connect fittings.

The invention further provides a vertical cabinet for cooling food inside the cabinet comprising a plurality of vertically spaced shelves arranged inside the cabinet to hold the food inside the cabinet, the shelves being made of conductive material; at the rear of the cabinet is a connection unit consisting of piping and valves for the flow of refrigerated liquid transfer medium to and from the snaking channels forming the refrigerant in the shelves; a cooling unit is connected to the coupling unit via an inlet pipe which cools the liquid transmission medium, the inlet pipe conveys the cooled liquid transmission medium to the connection unit and cabinet, and the outlet pipe out of the liquid transport medium and the cabinet returning it to the cooling unit for cooling; comprising inlet and outlet connectors along the long side of the shelves for inlet and outlet of the liquid transfer medium into the cooling means; in the cabinet are feeding pipelines to which the inlet couplings are releasably coupled to transfer the liquid transfer medium from the coupling unit to the cooling means; in the cabinet, return piping is arranged for the liquid transfer medium from the cooling means to the connection unit

flowing through the refrigerant for re-cooling, which is characterized by a vertical cabinet, the inlet and outlet connectors are provided with quick-connect fittings for quick connection and removal of shelves to the cabinet, quick-connect fittings and fittings contain plug portions that fit into connected socket portions, and when removing shelves from the cabinet, separates the socket portions from the plug portions so as to prevent fluid loss from the shelves and plug portions, and to prevent air from entering the feed pipe, and the cooling means of the shelves are in the form of serpentine channels for cooling the individual shelves a, which are made of a structural element with shelves.

The present invention further provides a vertical cabinet for conductive cooling of food in the cabinet comprising:

(a) a plurality of rectangular support shelves arranged vertically spaced in the vertical cabinet for holding food in the vertical cabinet, the shelves being formed from a conductive moldable material, the shelves being formed by forming an upper surface plate onto a lower surface plate;

b) a serpentine-shaped cooling channel in the bottom surface of the lower surface, the greater portion of the path forming the serpent-line is parallel to the length of the shelf;

c) a connection unit at the cabinet comprising piping and valves for passing cooled liquid transfer fluid to and from the cooling channels;

d) a cooling unit coupled to the connection unit, wherein the cooling unit cools the liquid transfer medium and an inlet conduit conveys the cooled transfer medium through the connection unit and into the cabinet, and an outlet pipeline conveys the liquid transfer medium from the enclosure; cooling through the connection unit and into the cooling unit;

e) an inlet connector for passing the cooled liquid transfer medium through the cooling duct along the length of each shelf;

f) an outlet connector along the length of each shelf and in close proximity to the inlet connectors to remove the cooled liquid transfer medium from the cooling duct;

(g) a liquid feed line connected by a releasable connection to each inlet connector for supplying the cooled liquid transfer medium from the connection unit to the cooling duct; and

h) a liquid return line coupled to each outlet connector by a releasable connection for transferring the cooled liquid transfer medium through the cooling conduits to the connection unit and for returning it to the cooling unit for re-cooling.

The above vertical cabinet is advantageous if the inlet and outlet terminals are tightly adjacent to each other.

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It is also advantageous for the vertical cabinet according to the invention if the inlet and outlet connectors are arranged along the length of the shelves.

It is also preferred that the inlet and outlet terminals are releasably connected to the shelves by means of quick-coupling fittings.

According to the invention there is further provided a vertical cabinet for conducting cooling and heating of the food in the cabinet, comprising rectangular racks arranged vertically spaced in the vertical cabinet, the shelves being made of conductive material, the storage shelves being provided with heating and cooling means. flow of a transfer medium that heats or cools the carrier shelves; inlet and outlet connectors are located along the long side of the shelves for discharging the liquid transfer medium into and out of the heating or cooling means; the cabinet has a coupling unit that directs the liquid transfer medium to a heating element when the cabinet is in heating mode or the liquid transfer medium to a cooling unit when the cabinet is in cooling mode; the cooling unit is connected to the cabinet for cooling the liquid transfer medium when the cabinet is in cooling mode; the heating element is connected to the cabinet when the cabinet is in heating mode, characterized in that the cabinets are provided with quick-connect fittings designed to fasten and remove the shelves quickly from the cabinet, which includes fastener parts fitting to the socket parts, During removal from the cabinet, the substrate portions are separated from the plug portions so as to prevent fluid loss from the shelves and plug portions and to prevent air from entering the feed and return pipes.

According to the invention, there is further provided a vertical cabinet for conductive cooling and heating comprising:

(a) a plurality of shelves, spaced vertically in the cabinet, spaced apart by spaced shelves made of conductive material;

b) a heating or cooling means disposed in each shelf for passing a fluid transfer medium for heating or cooling the support shelves;

c) a cooling unit is connected to the cabinet for cooling the liquid transfer medium when the cabinet is in cooling mode;

d) a heating element is connected to the cabinet for heating the liquid transmission medium when the cabinet is in heating mode; and

e) a junction unit is provided at the cabinet which directs the liquid transfer medium to the heater when the cabinet is in heating mode or to the liquid transfer medium to the cooling unit when the cabinet is in cooling mode.

According to the invention, there is further provided a vertical cabinet for transferring heat or cold to food in the cabinet comprising:

(a) a plurality of racks arranged vertically spaced in the vertical cupboard for the storage of food in the cupboard, which are made of conductive material;

(b) means for heating or cooling each shelf comprising a serpentine device, the device being structurally integral with each shelf, wherein at least 65% of the straight portion of the serration device is parallel to the length of the shelf;

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(c) a connection unit at the rear of the cabinet having valves and piping for diverting and flowing the liquid transmission medium through the enclosure, the diverting being dependent upon the temperature switch of the cabinet being set to heating or cooling;

d) a cooling unit connected to the connection unit via an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe, wherein the cooling unit cools the liquid transfer medium when the cabinet is in cooling mode, the inlet piping further transports the cooled liquid transfer medium to the connecting unit, and and the outlet duct returning the liquid transfer medium from the cabinet and the connection unit to the refrigeration unit for cooling;

e) an energy flow heating element at the upper end of the cabinet to flow the heated liquid transfer medium through the cabinet shelves when the cabinet is in the heating mode;

(f) inlet and outlet connectors along the length of the shelves for the discharge of liquid medium into and out of heating or cooling means;

(g) supply lines inside the cabinet to which the inlet plugs are releasably connected to flow the fluid transfer medium from the energy flow element or connection unit to the heating or cooling means; and

(h) return ducts inside the cabinet to which the outlet connectors are removably coupled to direct the fluid transfer medium from the heating or cooling means to the energy flow element or to the connection means.

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The apparatus of the present invention and its features will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus according to the invention having liquid-cooled shelves; the

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the cabinet of Figure 1; the

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the bottom surface of a liquid-cooled shelf; the

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the top surface of the shelf shown in Figure 3; the

Figure 5 is a rear view taken along line 5-5 of Figure 2; the

Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a cabinet with electrically heated shelves; the

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a shelf having a snakelike electric heater; the

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the shelf of Figure 7 with the insulating material peeled off; the

Figure 9 is a side elevational view, similar to Figure 2, showing a more detailed view of the quick coupler fittings; the

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a section of a vertically arranged fluid feed line, a parallel fluid return line, a connector for a quick coupling assembly through which fluid entering and leaving the fluid feed line is conveyed to cabinet shelves; the

11-13. 10A are enlarged side elevational views of the fluid return pipe of FIG. 10 and the plug portion of the quick coupling assembly; the

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a led freezer / refrigerator assembly; the

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a heating / cooling selection attachment unit connected to the rear of a cabinet type unit; the

Figure 16 is a front view of the unit of Figure 14; the

Figure 17 is a rear view of the unit of Figure 14; the

Figure 18 is a top plan view of the unit of Figure 14; the

Figure 19 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the unit of Figure 16;

and finally the

Figure 20 is a graph illustrating the relationship between the temperature of the material in the apparatus of the invention and the cooling time.

Although the invention may be embodied in many different embodiments, the following description of the invention will be described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, which are intended to be illustrative of the principle of the invention, but are not intended to limit the scope thereof.

1-5. Figures 1 to 5 show a first embodiment of a device for heating and cooling food according to the invention, comprising a vertical cabinet 10 for transferring heat to food, chicken or meat products and products containing flour or starch. Typically, these cabinets 10 are made of stainless steel or other durable, non-corrosive and showy material. In order to reduce energy consumption and reduce the risk of burns to persons accidentally coming into contact with the exterior of the cabinet 10, the heat loss at the walls of the cabinet 10 is reduced by insulating these walls. The vertical cabinet 10 includes a plurality of vertically spaced rectangular support shelves having substantially flat top and bottom surfaces. The cabinet 10 may typically include ten or more such shelves. In Figures 1 and 2, the three uppermost support shelves inside the cabinet 10 are designated by reference numerals 12, 14 and 16, respectively. In Figure 1 • · ···

- 18 ··: ... * · .. · · .. · all of these 12, 14 or 16 shelves illustrated are removably attached to the 10 cabinet walls and robust enough to carry about 50 pounds (about 23 kg) an amount of food such as chicken, fish or meat can be placed inside the cabinet 10. Shelves 12, 14 and 16 are made of heat-conductive material, preferably aluminum.

A pair of doors 18 and 20 provides access to shelves 12, 14 and 16. These doors 18 and 20 are pivotally mounted and have magnetic door locks 22 and 24, respectively. At the top of the cabinet 10, a switchboard 26 allows the operator to independently control the temperatures of the shelves 12, 14, 16 inside the cabinet 10.

A centrifugal pump 28 is disposed at the upper end of the cabinet 10 to flow heated liquid through the shelves 12, 14, 16. For example, a BC-4K-MD centrifugal pump from March Manufacturing of Glenview, Illinois can be used in this embodiment. Next to the centrifugal pump 28 is a reservoir 30 which also contains a heating element for the initial heating of the liquid and for reheating the liquid after returning from the shelves 12, 14, 16. This fuel tank 30 is connected to a pressure relief cover 33 (Hydro Craft, Detroit, Michigan). The centrifugal pump 28 and the container 30 are maintained by a vent 31 at an acceptable operating temperature. The pressure relief cap 33 is needed to remove excess excess pressure from the system. Such overpressure may result from the vapor pressure of the heated water circulating through the shelves 12, 14, 16.

Figures 3 and 4 show the structure of the shelves 12 used in the heated liquid embodiment of the device according to the invention. The shelf 12 is made of aluminum and is formed by joining two sheets by roll bonding. One plate forms the upper surface 32 of the shelf 12 and the lower plate 34 forms the lower surface 34 of the shelf 12. The plate used to form the top surface 32 is thicker than the plate used to form the bottom surface 34. Preferably, the ratio of the thickness of the top surface 32 to the thickness of the bottom surface 34 is at least 1.75: 1, preferably approx. 2.25: 1st If the ratio of the top surface 32 to the bottom surface 34 is 2.25: 1, it follows that the top surface 32 has a thickness of 90/1000 inches (0.23 cm) and the bottom surface 34 has a thickness of 40/1000 inch (0.10 cm). It has been found that the thickness of the plates of the upper surface 32 and the lower surface 34 must be so large as to ensure that the upper surface 32 has a uniform edge-to-edge surface and that there are no protruding or recessed patches rolling bonding process.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the temperature of the shelf 12 is adjusted by passing a heating fluid flowing through a serpentine channel 36, which winds along a lower surface 34. Unlike the prior art device, these serpentine-shaped portions are substantially parallel to the length of the rectangular shelf 12. The inside size of the snake-shaped channel 36 is approximately 1 inch (2.54 cm). Heating fluid is introduced into the serpentine channel 36 through an inlet connector 38 located along the rear side of the shelf 12 and also through an outlet connector 40 located along the rear side of the shelf 12.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, it is shown that the shelf 12 has a width and a length. The length of the shelf 12 is the longer of the two sizes and is the size along which the inlet connector 38 and the outlet connector 40 are secured to the shelf 12. The width of the shelf 12 is the shorter of the two dimensions to which the reference numeral 12 is attached in Figures 3 and 4. Figure 4 shows that the line 36 is a snout

Most of the 20 shelves are parallel to the length of the 12 shelves. In practice, if only straight sections are counted and no 90 ° or 180 ° bends are calculated, approximately 90% of the snake-shaped channel 36 is parallel to the length of the shelf 12. Compared to shelves having a plurality of channels parallel to their width direction, the rack 12 of the present invention, wherein the majority of the serpentine channel 36 is parallel to its length, has greater stiffness. It is believed that a significant increase in the rigidity of the shelves 12, 14 or 16 will be achieved if the proportion of straight sections of the serpentine channel 36 parallel to the length of the shelf 12 is 65% or more.

Unlike prior art devices, wherein the inlet and outlet connectors are located along the width edge of a rectangular shelf, the inlet connector 38 and the outlet connector 40 are arranged along the rear longitudinal side of the shelf 12. This is shown in Figure 4. This allows the majority of the serpentine channel 36 to run parallel to the longitudinal side of the shelf 12 and increase heating efficiency by allowing a greater portion of the upper surface 32 to be heated. This also minimizes the run-down ranges along the top surface 32 and ensures uniform heating of all food on the top surface 32.

Shelf 12 and serpentine channel 36 are formed by roller bonding. This method is generally known in the art of aluminum forming and includes photographic etching on a surface of a lower surface 34 in a serpentine pattern. This pattern defines the serpentine channel 36. After etching, the upper surface 32 and lower surface 34 are rolled together under high pressure, which connects the upper and lower plates together but does not join the portions of the surface of the lower surface 34 to which the * * ··· a snake-like pattern was photographed. As a result, a snake-line channel is partially formed which can be completed by introducing high-pressure air into the snake-line channel 36, which blows it into a full three-dimensional shape.

Also shown in Figures 3 and 4 is that the shelf 12 has downwardly bent edges along both sides of the shelf 12 and along the longitudinal side opposite the inlet connector 38 and the outlet connector 40. As shown in FIG. 1, the flanges 42 engage the support rails 44 which support the shelves 12, 14, 16 inside the vertical cabinet 10.

Also shown in Figures 3 and 4 are a pair of upwardly extending stop members 46 arranged along the rear edge of the shelf 12. The stop members 46 allow the foodstuff on the upper surface 32 to be held in a proper position.

The heating fluid is conveyed from the centrifugal pump 28 and the tank 30 through a series of conduits along the cabinet frame 10. As best shown in Figures 2 and 5, a supply line 48 is supplied inside the cabinet 10 to supply heated fluid to the inlet connections 38 on each of the shelves 12, 14, 16. A return pipe 50 is disposed parallel to the feed pipe 48. The lower part of the feed pipe 48 is connected to the lower part of the return pipe 50 via a connecting pipe 52. The conduit 52 directs the portion of the heated fluid back to the centrifuge pump 28 and reservoir 30 that does not pass through the serpentine channels 36 of the shelves 12, 14, 16.

There are significant advantages to placing the tank 30 containing heating fluid on top of the cabinet 10. The shelves 12, 14, 16 in cabinet 10 are filled with water during operation. when we stop the operation, fig

- 22 centrifuge pumps are stopped. It has been found that in a cabinet where the container is mounted below, the water in the shelves has seeped into that container. As a result, there was an increased tendency for air to enter and get stuck in those shelves. By placing the container 30 on top of the cabinet 10, this problem is solved. If the tank 30 is on top of the cabinet 10, after the system is stopped, water cannot flow from the shelves 12, 14, 16 into the tank 30. On the contrary, by placing this container 30 on top of the cabinet 10, the shelves 12, 14, 16 are always saturated with water and cannot contain air.

The 3δ inlet connector is detachably connected by an inlet pipe branch 54 to a feed pipe 48. The outlet connectors 40 are connected by a detachable outlet pipe 56 to the return pipe 50. As a result of this connection, the temperature of each shelf 12, 14 or 16 can be independently controlled.

The preferred fuel or liquid medium comprises four solutions containing 50% water and 50% propylene glycol (DOWFROST® HD, Dow Chemical, USA). It will be appreciated that if the container 30 of the unit is not to be used, or if a cooling unit and a connecting unit are used instead, the liquid transfer medium may function as a cooling fluid, thereby converting the cabinet 10 into a conduit cooling unit.

6-8. Figures 1 to 5 show another embodiment of the device according to the invention, in which an electric wave is used instead of temperature controlled shelves with liquid heating medium. As shown in FIG. 6, this embodiment also includes a vertical cabinet 58 having individually heated storage shelves spaced vertically, such as shelves 60, 62, and 64, for storing food in the vertical cabinet 58. 1-5. As with the embodiment of Figs. 4 to 5, the shelves 60, 62 and 64 in these examples are also used

- Made of 23 heat conducting materials. In this embodiment, the heat-conductive material is stainless steel.

For the shelves 60, 62 and 64, heat is provided by an electrical power supply 66 at the upper end of cabinet 58. Power supply 66 is a conventional AC device that can be electrically powered through conductive elements in shelves 60, 62 and 64.

As shown in Figures 7 and 8, a snake-line heating conduit 68 is completely enclosed inside the shelf 60 and the other shelves 62 and 64 are provided with similar snake-like channels. As shown in Fig. 7, the area covered by this snake-shaped guide wire 68 is greater than half the region of the shelf 60. In addition, since it is completely enclosed by the structure of the shelf 60, the serpentine-shaped running line 68 heats the upper portion of the shelf 60 evenly with conductive heating and the food on the shelf 60 heats it with radiant heating. Furthermore, the closed-end serpentine-shaped running line 68 provides uniform heating of at least the upper surface of each shelf 60, 62 or 64, thereby eliminating unwanted temperature gradients along the surface of the shelf 60.

Preferably, the serpentine line 68 is a metallic line. The conductor material may be a resistive alloy such as copper, brass or aluminum. Typically, the material is very thin, in the order of 10 to 100 micrometers.

As shown in FIG. 8, an insulating material 70, such as polycarbonate, wraps the serpentine-shaped conductor 68 to form a heating film 72. The peeled insulating material 70 in the illustration may be very thin, 3 / 32-1 / 8 inches (0.24-0.32 cm). The insulating material 70 may be selected from any suitable group of insulating materials, including polyvinyl chloride, polyester, silicone rubber and mycanite.

The filament film 72 includes at least one power supply connector 74 and a current outlet connector 76 through which alternating current enters and exits the conductor 68 of shelf 60. The arrangement of the lead-in connector 74 and the lead-out connector 76 may be different, and its design will depend to a large extent on the individual arrangement of the serpentine-shaped trunk 68. Inside cabinet 58, power line 78 transmits electricity from electrical power supply unit 66, while electrical grounding inside cabinet 58 (not shown) recirculates electrical current from the serpentine-shaped heating line 68.

Finally, the cabinet 58 includes a first electrical connection means for connecting the power supply terminal 74 to the electrical supply line and a second electrical connection means for connecting the current supply terminal 76 to the electrical ground conductor. In this way, the conductor 68 can be disconnected in the power supply 78 and the earth conductor.

9-13. Figures 1 to 5 show a fluid embodiment with quick release means for connecting the shelves to and disconnecting the vertical heat transfer cabinet frame. Figure 9 is a partially sectional side view of a drawer-type heat transfer cabinet 80 similar to that shown in Figure 2. However, in Figure 9 an example is provided with a quick disconnect connector, hereinafter referred to as a "quick disconnect assembly" or "quick disconnect assembly".

The cabinet 80 shown in Figure 9, similar to the cabinet 10 of Figure 2, comprises a feed pipe 82 for carrying a vertically arranged fluid and a fluid return pipe 84 arranged in parallel thereto. Like the piping 10 of the cabinet 10 shown in Figure 2, this feed pipe 82 and 84

- 25 return conduits also supply fluid to the shelves 86. The feed pipe 82 and the return pipe 84 are provided with plug portions 88 of a quick coupling assembly 90. The shelves 86 are supplied with heating fluid through feed line 82 and through the return line 84 through the plug portions 88 of these quick release fittings 90. The feed line 82 is connected to the discharge side of a pump 92, while the return line 84 is connected to the suction side of the pump 92.

The quick coupler assembly 90 is part of the plug 88 and the quick coupler assembly 90 itself is best illustrated in Figures 11-13. , its operation is best understood. In these figures, the portion 88 of the quick coupling assembly 90 is shown in the position attached to the return pipe 84. The plug portion 88 is physically secured to the wall 94 of the return pipe 84 by means of a collapsible rubber-like sealing ring 96. This sealing ring 96 provides a fluid-tight seal along the hole drilled into the return pipe 84, which allows the insertion of the plug portion 88 of the quick coupling assembly 90.

The quick coupling assembly 90 further includes an internal fluid passage 98 arranged along the central axis of the plug portion 88. 11-13. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 11-13. The diameters of these three portions are increasing in size from left to right.

The plug portion 88 of the quick coupling assembly 90 also includes a rigid hollow polymer tube tip 100. Each polymer tube tip 100 is disposed axially in a tube tip guide member 102 at the distal end of the plug portion 88. This tubular tip guide member 102 is surrounded by an O-ring 104 which is inserted into a groove extending along the outer periphery of the tubular tip guide member 102.

The polymer tube 100 is indirectly attached to a spring 106 at one end. Mint all. 10a, the other end 108 of the polymer tube tip 100 extends outwardly from the plug portion 88 of the quick coupling assembly 90 and is shown when the plug portion 88 is separated from the socket portion 110. In the position of the components shown in Fig. 11, the spring 106 pushes a protective ring 112 to form a fluid-tight seal between the inner fluid port 98 and the hollow portion of the polymer tube 100.

Figure 12 shows a portion 110 of a socket assembly 90 that is to be coupled to a socket portion 88 of a socket assembly 90. The socket portion 110 of the quick coupling assembly 90 includes a circuit board 114 made of a hard polymer bonded to a spring 116. Circular board 114 is non-compact, with openings through which fluid may flow through said circuit board 114. One end of the spring 116 which pushes this circular plate 114 against the distal end of a first fluid chamber 118.

Circular plate 114 is secured to one end of a contact pin 120. An O-ring 122 is attached to the other end of this pin 120. In the situations shown in Figures 11 and 12, this O-ring 122 separates the first fluid chamber 118 and a second fluid chamber 124. However, as shown in Fig. 13, when the circular plate 114 is pressed against the end of the tube tip guide member 102, the circular plate 114 is pushed to the right, which compresses the spring 116 and pushes the pin 120 and the O-ring 122 to the right. This effectively opens the first fluid chamber 118 to the second

124, and allows fluid to flow through the entire quick coupling assembly 90. In this way, fluid can pass through the return pipe 84, the quick coupling assembly 90, and the inlet connection 38 of the shelves, e.g.

125 outlets in both directions.

Like the best all. 6A, a screw cap 126 is secured to the socket portion 110 of the quick release assembly 90. A compression spring 128 is clamped into this 126 threaded cap. When the device of the present invention is fully assembled and in normal operating mode as described above, the plug portion 88 of the quick coupling assembly 90 is secured to the return pipe 84. In addition, the socket portion 110 of the quick connect assembly 90 is normally attached to the inlet connector 38 and the outlet connector 125 of shelf 86 (not shown). This connection is achieved, for example, by inserting the outlet connector 125 by means of a screw cap 126 and a compression spring 128, and then screwing the screw cap 126 into the corresponding end portion 110 of the quick coupling assembly 90. Figure 12 illustrates both parts of the quick coupling assembly 90 in their normal operating position. Namely, the plug portion 88 of the quick coupling assembly 90 is attached to the return pipe 84. The socket portion 110 of the quick coupling assembly 90, together with the screw cap 126 and its compression spring 128, is attached to the outlet connector 125.

The socket portion 110 of the quick coupling assembly 90 includes a funnel end 130. As shown in FIG. 12, this funnel end 130 allows the socket portion 110 to be joined to the plug portion 88 at an angle other than horizontal. This greatly simplifies the assembly of the device. As will be explained below, the possibility of inserting the shelf 86 at an angle other than horizontal also facilitates the operation of means for sealing the plug portion 88 and the socket portion 110 of the quick release assembly 90.

- 28 After the above steps 9-13. With reference to Figures 1 to 5, the construction of the quick coupling assembly 90 may be readily understood. All. FIG. 10A is an enlarged sectional view of a section of the return pipe 84 already shown in FIG. 10, and a plug portion 88 of the quick coupler assembly 90, and a bottom portion 110 of the quick coupler assembly 90 with a screw spring 128 and not shown in FIG. The end of the outlet connector 125 at the end of shelf 86 is shown in section, where the outlet connector 125 at shelf 86 is shown in position before it is joined to the socket portion 110 of the quick coupling assembly 90 by a screw cap 126 containing compression spring 128. Figure 12 shows the same elements, but the end of shelf 86, i.e. the outlet connector 125, is already secured to the socket portion 110 of the quick release assembly 90 and the socket portion 110 of the quick release assembly 90 is at an angle to the horizontal, and thus contacts the plug portion 88 of the quick coupling assembly 90. In Figure 13, the socket portion 110 and plug portion 88 of the quick-connect assembly 90 are already fully engaged and the two socket portions 88 and socket portions 88 are open so that fluid can flow therethrough. Thus, as discussed above, the funnel end 130 allows the shelf 86 and the socket portion 110 to which the shelf 86 is attached to engage with the plug portion 88 at an angle. This is best illustrated in Figure 12. The spring 106 in the portion 88 of the plug is less hard than the spring 116 in the portion 110. As a result, when the tip of the polymer tube 100 is touched by the circular plate 114, as shown in Figure 12, only the spring 106 will be compressed. As a result, the polymer tube tip 100 retracts into the tube tip guide member 102 and the protective ring 112 moves out of the nest. In addition, the opening 132 in the side wall 29 of the polymer tube tip 100 is inserted into the internal fluid passage 98. The liquid in this internal fluid passage 98 can then flow through the opening 132 into the inner cavity of the polymer tube tip 100.

As the socket portion 110 is pushed forward and engages better with the plug portion 88, the polymer tube tip 100 disappears completely inside the tube tip guide member 102 and the end of the tube tip guide member 102 engages with the circular plate 114. The tube tip guide element 102 pushes the circular plate 114, the spring 116, and the contact pin 120 to the right and lifts the O-ring 122 from its seat. As a result, as shown in FIG. 13, fluid can flow between the first fluid chamber 118 and the second fluid chamber 124.

As discussed above, the device of the present invention also includes means for ensuring that shelf 86 and quick-fit assembly 90 remain in interconnected position as shown in Figure 13. These devices are illustrated in Figure 9, which includes a plurality of substantially horizontal rod-shaped pins 134. The shelf 86 is inserted into the cabinet 80 by keeping the shelf 86 at an angle to the horizontal. Shelf 86 and its socket portion 110 are pushed toward plug portion 88 of the quick coupling assembly 90, while slot 136 of socket portion 110 engages with thicker end 138 of socket portion 88. The shelf 86 is then lowered to the horizontal position shown in Figure 9. In this horizontal position, the pin 134 engages in a slot 136 along the underside of the shelf 86. In this way, the shelf 86 is held in the position shown in Figure 9, regardless of the pressure of the springs 106 and 116.

When the shelf 86 is in the position shown in Figure 9, the socket portion 88 and the socket portion 110 of the quick coupling assembly 90 are in the position shown in Figure 13. This Figure 13 illustrates the device of the present invention in a state where the supply line 82 or 84 * * <

The return conduit 30 has an open fluid flow path through the quick coupling assembly 90 which then passes through the inlet or outlet 125 of the shelf 86.

It is essential that these quick-fit fittings 90 also prevent air from entering the system when the shelves 86 are removed from the cabinet 80. When the shelves 86 are removed from the cabinet 80, the socket portion 110 of the quick release assembly 90 is separated from the portion 88 of the quick release assembly 90. This can be seen in the

Figure 11. As shown in Fig. 11, from the position of the two components of the quick coupling assembly 90, the fluid path in both the return pipe 84 and the internal fluid passage 98 is blocked by the protective ring 112 and cannot penetrate the rigid hollow polymer pipe tip 10. In addition, the passage of the liquid in the shelf 86, the outlet connector 125, and the second fluid chamber 124 is blocked by the O-ring 122 and cannot penetrate the first fluid chamber 118. Thus, a shelf 86 can be removed from cabinet 80 without loss of fluid at either shelf 86 or return pipe 84 and plug portion 88, even when pump 92 is operating or when shelf 86 and 82 the feed pipe and the return pipe 84 are filled with water. In this way, the quick connector assembly 90 also ensures that no air is sucked into the system when a shelf 86 is removed from the cabinet 80.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a cooling assembly 140 comprising a connector 150 connected to the cabinet 10 of Fig. 1 and a cooling unit 180 connected to the connector 150 via an outlet conduit 156 and an inlet conduit 158. This refrigerant assembly 140 may thus be the embodiment of FIGS. 10a. This refrigerator assembly 140 serves to provide a drawer cabinet heating system and oven unit

- Convert it to 31 cooling systems and cooling units. The connection unit 150 is a heating / cooling selection unit connected to the distribution cable at the back of the cabinet 10 in Figure 5. At the cabinet 10, a cooling unit 180 is disposed and connected to the connection unit 150 via an outlet pipe 156 and an inlet pipe 158. In order to avoid substantially interrupting the operation of the components and connections on the top of the drawer cabinet device, a design is made by connecting a separate external connection unit to the rear of the cabinet 10 and utilizing a separate remote cooling unit. However, the cabinet 10 of the present invention is not limited to the exemplary separate cooling assembly 140. Although in the illustrated embodiment the cabinet 10 utilizes a separate refrigerant assembly 140, the refrigerator assembly 140 and cabinet 10 may be incorporated into a single mechanism or machine.

By utilizing the thermally conductive refrigerant assembly 140 in conjunction with the cabinet 10, the desired internal temperature equilibrium of the food therein can be achieved in 3-5 times less than conventional refrigeration techniques employing conventional air directly to the food. Figure 20 is a graph comparing the relationship between cooling time and temperature for articles cooled in a conductive cooling device of the invention and a conventional radiant cooling device. As can be seen from the results illustrated in the graph, the products cooled in the device of the present invention can be cooled much faster by conductive cooling to a certain temperature than by conventional radiant cooling. In addition, the cooling conduit 140, which operates on the principle of thermal conductivity, allows for precise adjustment of the desired equilibrium temperatures. The liquid transfer medium flowing through the shelves 12 of the cabinet 10,

32, to maintain the desired temperature equilibrium, maintains the viscosity of the fluid at a level suitable for continuous flow of the fluid in the closed-loop system as described above with respect to the heating system. The cooling assembly 140 uses a thermal conduction method instead of conventional radiant cooling.

Fig. 15 shows an arrangement where the connection unit 150 is connected to the upper rear part of the cabinet 10. The connection unit 150 includes a plurality of valves and pipelines that direct the flow of liquid transfer fluid into the cabinet 10 in the form of cooled liquid exiting the cooling unit 180 or from the tank 30 holding the heater element into the heated cabinet 10 (see FIG. see figure). In this, a first heat valve 152 is connected to connecting pipe sections 154 located on either side of the first heat valve 152. At the end of one of the connecting pipe sections 154 is connected to an outlet pipe 156. The other connection 154 is connected at the end to an inlet pipe 158. The first heat valve 152 is an electrically operated solenoid valve controlled by a control box 244 located in the cooling unit 180 (see Figure 16). When the cooling mode is selected, the first heat valve 152 closes and directs the cooled liquid transfer medium, which is supplied from the cooling unit 180, to the inlet connections 38 of the shelves 12 and the snaking channels 36 of the shelves 12 of the cabinet. When the heating mode is selected, the first heat valve 152 opens so that the heated fluid transfer fluid from a heated tank 162 is connected to the connecting piping sections 154, the supply piping 48, the return piping 50, and the connection 52 through the enclosure section 154. The shelves 12 flow into and are heated by a serpentine channel 36.

• ··

The outlet pipeline 156 conveys and cools the cooled liquid transfer medium from the remote cooling unit 180 to the connection unit 150. A flow pump, similar to the centrifugal pump 28 shown in Figure 2, is provided on the upper surface of the cabinet 10 and is only used to flow the liquid transfer medium when the device is in heating mode. For example, the pump 160 may be a BC-4K-MD of March Manufacturing of Glenview, Illinois. Next to the pump 160 is a reservoir 162 which serves as a heating element and which is also used only when the unit is in heating mode. The reservoir 162 warms the liquid transfer medium before it flows into the serpentine channels 36 of the shelves 12 and warms the liquid transfer medium as it returns from the shelves 12. The container 162 is similar to the container 30 shown in Figure 2 and is sold by Watlow. Pump 160 and reservoir 162 are not used when cabinet 10 is in cooling mode.

When the cabinet 10 is switched to cooling mode, the first heat valve 152 closes and the cooled liquid transfer fluid exiting the cooling unit 180 bypasses the connecting tube section 154 and the first heat valve 152 and flows into the shelf 12 of the cabinet 10 to start conductive cooling of shelves. The inlet duct 158 returns the liquid transfer medium to the cooling unit 180 after it has passed through the shelves 12 and cabinet 10 so that it can be cooled again in the cooling unit 180.

A second heat valve 164 is disposed below and at an angle to the first heat valve 152. The second heat valve 164 is connected to the outlet pipe 156. A third heat valve 166 is disposed immediately transverse to the second heat valve 164 and at an angle to the first heat valve 152. The third heat valve 166 is connected to the inlet pipe 158. When 10 cabinets are in cooling mode * ··> · ··· ♦

34, the second heat valve 164 and the third heat valve 166 are opened and the flow or circulation of the cooled liquid transfer medium from the cooling unit 180 to the shelves 12 is diverted. When switching to heating mode, the second heat valve 164 and the third heat valve 166 are closed and the flow of the heated liquid transfer medium is deflected by the first heat valve 152. Both the second heat valve 164 and the third heat valve 166 are electrically operated solenoid valves controlled by electrical components in control box 244 of the cooling unit 180.

In the connection unit 150 there is provided a first slide 168 and a second slide 170 located below the second heat valve 164 and the third heat valve 166. The first valve 168 is also connected to the outlet pipe 156 and the second valve 170 is also connected to the supply pipe 158. The sliders 168 and 170 are open when the cooling unit 180 is connected to the cabinet 10 and are closed when the cooling unit 180 is disconnected from the cabinet 10. Thus, the cooling unit 180 can be easily disconnected from the cabinet 10 without interrupting the connection unit 150 and the cabinet units 10, and without interrupting the heating capability of the cabinet 10.

A temperature selection switch 172 is disposed on the back of the cabinet 10. When the temperature selector switch 172 is in the down position, the cooling mode is selected. When the temperature selector switch 172 is in the up position, the heating mode is initiated.

16-18. Figures 1 to 5 show an embodiment of the cooling unit 180 of Figure 14. The high speed led refrigerator or refrigerator 180 is easy to use with the drawer cabinet type 10 shown in Figure 1 to convert the cabinet 10 from a heating system to a cooling system. We can use one of the 180 chiller units, ·· ♦♦

- 35 - ......

comprising a separate remote unit comprising, as main units, an insulated heat exchanger / evaporator 200, a compressor 210, a steam trap 212 with cooling openings, a filter 220 arranged in series, and a pump 224 and a pump motor 228. These main components, together with the components conventionally used in other conventional cooling processes, are housed in a box-like housing 182. The cooling unit 180 has four swivel wheels and can be moved from one location to another, with or without associated cabinet 10. The cooling capacity used in the 180 refrigerating units is large enough for the cabinet 10 to have a cooling capacity of approx. Cool between 33 ° F and 40 ° F with a temperature stability of +/- 2.0 ° F (33 ° F = 0.556 ° C, 40 ° F = 4.4 ° C, 2.0 ° F difference = 1.11 ° Difference C). In order to achieve the preferred temperature range, the refrigeration unit 180 is preferably equipped with a 1 HP compressor 210 having a cooling capacity of 1600 W and equipped with 4 GPM (gallon / minute) at 60 PSI (4218.6 g / cm). ² at 15.14 rpm) with 224 pumps. However, it will be appreciated that the size and cooling capacity of the cooling unit 180 may vary depending on factors such as insulation, heat loss rate, and so on. and are not limited to those described in connection with the illustrated embodiment. The chiller 180 is highly applicable in many desired configurations and can be fitted with various elements without compromising on the performance of the chiller 180 or deviating from the conduction chiller process.

The inlet duct 158 and the outlet duct 156 are connected to openings formed in a first sidewall 184 of the cooling unit 180 so that a liquid transfer medium can be introduced into and out of the cooling unit 180 and cabinet 10 via the connection unit 150. As shown in Figure 18, the inlet duct 158 is one. . :: ··· ·· .-:

• · · ···. . ··

...... · .. · · .. ·

- 36 · is connected to an upper balancing valve 186 located inside the housing 182, and an inlet pipe 158 is connected to a lower balancing valve 188 also located inside the housing 182. The lower balancing valve 188 may be adjusted to control the flow rate of the liquid transfer medium. One end of a first backflow connection pipe 190 is connected to a first connection portion 192 of the upper balancing valve 186. The first backflow connection pipe 190 is curved downward and rearwardly and its other end is connected to the first connection portion 194 of the lower balancing valve 188. One end of a second backflow connection pipe 196 is connected to a second connection portion 198 of the upper balancing valve 186 and the other end is connected to an insulated heat exchanger / evaporator 200.

As best illustrated in FIG. 16, the insulated heat exchanger / evaporator 200 has a cylindrical filler 204 attached to the top of the heat exchanger / evaporator 200 at its first end 202 near the second backflow connection pipe 196. The filling device 204 has a lid 206 which can be removed so that the coolant liquid transfer medium can be poured into the heat exchanger / evaporator 200. Preferably, the coolant contains 50% water and 50% propylene glycol solution (DOWFROST® HD, Dow Chemical, USA). The heat exchanger / evaporator 200 converts the low pressure liquid transfer medium into low pressure steam. As the liquid evaporates, it removes hidden heat from the surroundings of the heat exchanger / evaporator 200, and the temperature in the heat exchanger / evaporator 200 decreases. This latent heat must be added to provide the energy needed to convert the liquid transfer medium into steam or gas.

As shown in FIG. 17, the heat exchanger / evaporator 200 has an insulated evaporator 208 coupled to a first end 202 of the heat exchanger / evaporator 200 to transmit and flow the cooled vapor transfer medium to the compressor 210. Compressor 210

• ·

- 37 · evacuates, compresses, and increases the pressure and temperature of the vapor transfer medium. The low pressure side of the compressor 210 is connected to the heat exchanger / evaporator 200 through the insulated evaporator tube 208 and the high pressure side of the compressor 210 is connected to a steam separator 212. The high pressure vapor transfer medium from the compressor 210 is relatively spun and is fed to the steam separator 212, where the steam is separated and maintained at high pressure. The temperature reduction is achieved by cooling the steam separator 212 with a motor fan 214 which forces air through the steam separator 212. Temperature reduction can also be achieved with a water-cooled steam separator. In smaller refrigeration units, heat can simply be dissipated into the atmosphere by ribbed refrigerants. As a result of the combination of increased pressure and heat loss, the vapor transfer medium is re-converted into separated vapor or liquid and releases hidden heat absorbed in the heat exchanger / evaporator 200. The liquid transfer medium flows through other components of the cooling unit 180 and, when sufficiently cooled, is returned from the cooling unit 180 to the cabinet 10 via the connection unit 150.

As shown in Figures 17 and 18, the second end 216 of the heat exchanger / evaporator 200 is connected to a third backflow connection pipe 218 which returns the transfer medium to the upper end of the serially arranged filter 220. The other upper end of the serially arranged filter 220 is connected to the first extension 222 of the flow pump 224 of the cooling unit 180. The 220 array filter operates by filtering out any sediment from the liquid transfer medium after returning from the shelves 12 of the cabinet 10 to the reflux unit 180. A second portion 226 of the pump 224 of the cooling unit 180 is directly connected to the pump motor 228 of the pump 224 of the cooling unit 180. The pump motor 228 provides the power needed to start and operate the compressor 210. Finally, a third extension 230 of the flow pump 224 of the cooling unit 180 is connected to one end of a fourth return flow connection pipe 232. The other end of the fourth return flow connection pipe 232 is connected to the second connection portion 234 of the lower balancing valve 188. After the transfer medium has passed through each of the elements of the cooling unit 180 and converted to steam and then again liquid, the sufficiently cooled liquid refrigerant is passed through the lower balancing valve 188 and introduced into outlet pipe 156 from where via a connection unit.

As shown in Figures 17 and 18, a pressure sensor unit 238 having a pressure gauge 240 is disposed on the second side wall 236 of the cooling unit 180 above the second end 216 of the heat exchanger / evaporator 200. The pressure sensing unit 238 is connected to a copper wire 242 which is bent at its center section in strings and then continues in a straight section connected to the top of the flow pump 224 of the cooling unit 180. The pressure generated by the pump 224 is recorded by the pressure gauge 240 through the copper wire 242. At the side of the pressure sensing unit 238 is a control box 244 which is connected directly to the second side wall 236 and contains in the control box 244 various electronic components necessary to operate the cooling unit 180 of the cooling assembly 140.

Fig. 19 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the refrigerating unit of Fig. 16 for use with a further embodiment of the cabinet 10 of Fig. 1, wherein the device is housed inside a refrigerator with an access door and

- 39 connected, located on top of the fridge with access door. In this embodiment, a refrigeration unit 300 similar to the refrigeration unit 180 shown in FIG. 16 is provided but has no wheels and is located on top of a conventional refrigerator with an access door 302. For example, if a food truck that requires refrigeration is transported by truck to a store or restaurant, it is desirable to roll a multi-drawer truck directly onto the truck, place the food on the truck, and then

Λ wrap it in an access door refrigerator. Usually, the food on the cart is cooled by conventional radiation cooling in a conventional fridge with an access door. However, when the refrigerator unit 300 of the present invention is used in conjunction with the refrigerator door 302 and a wheeled carriage 304, the refrigerator unit 302 is operated with the refrigerator unit 300 and conducts cooling. Thus, the food is cooled at a higher rate by means of the connected 300 refrigerating units. The outlet pipe 156 and the inlet pipe 158 of the cooling unit 300 are extended through the top of the inlet refrigerator 302, and the outlet pipe 156 is connected to a first connection fitting 306 and the inlet pipe 158 to a second quick coupling fitting 308. The quick coupling fittings 306, 308 are directly connected to the manifold located at the rear of the wheeled carriage 304 and are similar to those shown in FIGS. 90 through the quick coupling assembly 90 shown in FIGS. In another embodiment, the quick coupling fittings 306 and 308 may be connected to a single large distribution pipe (not shown) having a plurality of outlets for connecting to a 304 wheeled carriage. The quick coupling fittings 306, 308 operate to allow the flow of coolant in the direction of the shelves 310. Unlike the cabinet 10 of FIG. 1, the cooling unit 300 shown in this embodiment. However, 40 of the 304 wheeled wagons used together have no side panels, no rear panel, and no doors. The wheeled carriage 304 is provided with running / cooling heat exchanger shelves 310, but the shelves 310 are supported by four corner posts 312 only at its four corners and are not surrounded by anything. The refrigerator unit 300 is typically used for large refrigerator doors with an access door 302, which is capable of storing ten or more carts 304 at a time. Each of the wheeled carriages 304 may be provided with quick coupling fittings 306 and 308 for connection to the cooling unit 300. In another embodiment, a single large manifold (not shown) may be located on top of or inside the refrigerator door 302 having a plurality of outlet openings for connecting a plurality of wheeled carriages 304 located in the refrigerator door 302. A large heating unit 314 may also be located on the top of the refrigerator door 302 and attached to the wheeled carriages 304. Thus, the wheelchair 304 is capable of cooling or heating food, depending on whether the refrigeration unit 300 or the heating unit 314 is connected to the wheelchair 304. However, the heating unit 314 and the cooling unit 300 cannot be simultaneously coupled to the wheeled carriage 304. Typically, the heating unit 314 shown in this embodiment is larger in size and capacity than the container 30 shown in Figure 2. For example, if you were to warm each 304 wheelchair to three gallons (approx.

11.4 liters) of water and 20 to 30 304 wheeled carts placed in the refrigerator with access door 302, the 314 heater must be equipped with a container capable of storing 60-90 gallons (227-340.1 liters) of water .

Finally, Figure 20 is a graph comparing the relationship between cooling time and temperature between a food cooled in a conduit cooling device of the present invention and a conventional flow cooled food.

Claims (16)

An apparatus for heating and cooling food, comprising a vertical cabinet and rectangular support shelves arranged vertically spaced from each other, the shelves being made of a heat-conductive material, the pump being provided with a liquid heat-conducting fluid at the upper end of the cabinet; inlet terminals and outlet terminals coupled to the temperature control means along long sides of the shelves; in the cabinet are fed piping interconnected with the inlet connectors by means of a releasable connection, and in the inside of the cabinet return conduits are arranged by means of which the outlet connectors are connected by a releasable connection, characterized in that the shelves (86) are provided with being integral with each of the shelves (86), wherein at least 65% of the straight sections of the serpentine channels (36) are parallel to the long side of the shelf (86), with the quick coupling fittings (90) of the shelves (86). provided with rails (86) that are releasably coupled to the cabinet (80), fasteners (90) are provided with plug portions (88) secured to the feed pipe (82) and return pipe (84) of the cabinet (80) the plug portions (88) are the inlets for the shelves (86) and the outlet connector (125) are attached to the socket parts (110) and when the shelves (86) are removed from the cabinet (80), the socket parts (10) are separated from the plug parts (88) prevent fluid loss from shelves (86) to plugs (88), and •. . · · · •. , '' ·· «. ·· · -42 prevent air from entering the feed lines (82) and the return lines (84). Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the cabinet (80) comprises a refrigerant assembly (140) for converting the fluid flow pump (92) from a heating device to a refrigerant and connected to the cabinet (80), a refrigerant assembly (140). 80) comprising a connection unit (150) connected to its rear part, the connection unit (150) having a valve and a pipeline connected to the fluid flow pump (92) and open depending on the heating or cooling mode of the cabinet (80); a cooling unit (180) separate from the cabinet (80), the heat exchanger / evaporator (200), the compressor (210), the steam separator (212), the flow pump (224) and the pump motor connected to the connection unit (150); (228) cooling and re-cooling the liquid flow medium; the connecting unit (150) is connected to the cooling unit (180) via an inlet conduit (158), wherein the inlet conduit (158) conveys a fluid flow medium from the cabinet (80) through the connecting unit (150) to the cooling unit (180) ; and a conduit (156) for connecting the cooling unit (180) to the connection unit (150) and the cabinet (80), wherein the outlet conduit (156) recycles cooled fluid flow from the cooling unit (180) to the connection unit (150). and delivers it to the shelves of the cabinet (80). 3. Vertical cabinet for transferring heat to food in cabinet, containing: (a) vertically spaced spaces to store food placed inside a vertical cupboard and inside the cupboard ··· .... .... ...,. . *. , * ··· '·. - 43 - ....... '* separated support shelves having substantially flat top and bottom surfaces made of heat-conducting material; (b) a snaking line electric heater completely enclosed within each shelf; c) an electrical power supply at the upper end of the cabinet for supplying electric current through the heating means; d) inlet and outlet connectors for electric current input and output to the heating device; e) electrical wiring inside the cabinet to transmit electrical power from the electrical weaving; (f) electrical grounding wiring within the cabinet to direct the electrical current from the serpentine-shaped electrical running gear; and g) a first electrical connection means for attaching the inlet connector to the electrical wiring and a second electrical connection means for attaching the outlet connector to the electrical grounding wiring. A shelf for heating and cooking food which is substantially rectangular and has a substantially flat upper and a substantially flat lower surface; a snake-shaped electric heating device is completely enclosed in the shelf for supplying electric current through the shelf, the surface area of the device being greater than half the surface area of the shelf surface, thereby providing uniform heating of at least the upper surface of each shelf; undesirable temperature gradients along shelf surfaces. 5. Apparatus for heating food, consisting of a vertical cupboard and vertically spaced in the vertical cupboard • ·· • 44 separated shelves, rectangular and for storing food inside the cupboard, the shelves are made of a thermally conductive material, the shelves are a bottom formed on a surface by applying an upper surface by molding the surface; a pump for heating heated liquid through heated channels at the upper end of the cabinet; the liquid heated along the long side of each shelf is provided with an inlet connection through the heated channels, the long shelves being provided with an outlet connection along the long side of the shelves to discharge the heated liquid from the heated channels; a supply line connecting the pump to the heating channels by means of a releasable connection to each inlet connection; and by means of a releasable connection to the outlet connectors, a drainage conduit connecting the heating channels to the pump, characterized in that the shelves (12, 14, 16) have a heating serpentine channel (36) formed in the plate of the lower surface (34); the predominant part of the path forming the serpent line is parallel to the long side of the shelf (12, 14, 16) and the plate of the upper surface (32) is at least 1.75 times thicker than the plate of the lower surface (34). 6. Vertical cabinet for heat transfer to products inside cabinet, containing: (a) a number of rectangular shelves, placed in a vertical cupboard, for containing food inside the cupboard and spaced apart in vertical directions, made of a heat-conducting material; b) snaking-shaped heating means for each of the support shelves, which means are made of one piece with each shelf -45 formed, the majority of the straight sections of the snake-shaped trails being parallel to the length of the shelf; c) an energy circulating element at the upper end of the cupboard for circulating energy through the heating means; d) inlet and outlet connectors for energy to and from heating devices; e) feeding pipelines for transferring energy inside the cabinet from the energy circulation element to the heating means; (f) return ducts inside the cabinet to facilitate the return of energy from the heating means to the energy flow element. A vertical heat transfer cabinet according to claim 6, characterized in that the inlet and outlet terminals are closely adjacent to each other. A vertical heat transfer cabinet according to claim 7, characterized in that the inlet and outlet connectors are arranged along the length of the shelves. The vertical heat transfer cabinet according to claim 6, characterized in that the inlet and outlet terminals are connected to the shelves by means of quick release fittings by means of a releasable connection. 10. A vertical cabinet for cooling food inside the cabinet, comprising a plurality of rectangular shelves for holding food inside the cabinet, the shelves being formed of guide material; at the rear of the cabinet is a connection unit consisting of piping and valves for the flow of refrigerated liquid transfer medium to and from the snaking channels forming the refrigerant in the shelves; a cooling unit is connected to the coupling unit via an inlet pipe which cools the liquid transmission medium, the inlet pipe conveys the cooled liquid transmission medium to the connection unit and cabinet, and the outlet pipe out of the liquid transport medium and the cabinet returning it to the cooling unit for cooling; comprising inlet and outlet connectors along the long side of the shelves for inlet and outlet of the liquid transfer medium into the cooling means; in the cabinet are feeding pipelines to which the inlet couplings are releasably coupled to transfer the liquid transfer medium from the coupling unit to the cooling means; in the cabinet, return ducts are arranged to return the liquid transfer fluid from the cooling means through the connection unit to the refrigerant for re-cooling, characterized in that the inlet connectors (38) and the outlet connectors (125) are provided with quick couplings (90); suitable for fast attachment and removal of shelves (86) to and from cabinet (80), connector parts (110) for connection to socket parts (110) connected to the inlet (38) and outlet (135) of the shelves (86) 88), and when the shelves (86) are removed from the cabinet (80), the substrate portions (110) are separated from the plug portions (88) in such a way as to prevent from the shelves (86) and the plug portions (88). fluid loss and prevent air from feeding penetration into the pipelines (82) and return pipelines (84) and the shelves (86) Its cooling means 47 are formed in the form of spray lines (36) for cooling the individual shelves (86), which are formed of a structural element with the shelves (86). 11. Vertical cabinet for conductive cooling of food in cabinet, containing: (a) a plurality of rectangular support shelves arranged vertically spaced in the vertical cabinet for holding food in the vertical cabinet, the shelves being formed from a conductive moldable material, the shelves being formed by forming an upper surface plate onto a lower surface plate; b) a serpentine-shaped cooling channel in the bottom surface of the lower surface, the greater portion of the path forming the serpent-line is parallel to the length of the shelf; c) a connection unit at the cabinet comprising piping and valves for passing cooled liquid transfer fluid to and from the cooling channels; d) a cooling unit coupled to the connection unit, wherein the cooling unit cools the liquid transfer medium and an inlet conduit conveys the cooled transfer medium through the connection unit and into the cabinet, and an outlet pipeline conveys the liquid transfer medium from the enclosure; cooling through the connection unit and into the cooling unit; e) an inlet connector for passing the cooled liquid transfer medium through the cooling duct along the length of each shelf; • 48 - f) an outlet connector along the length of each shelf and in close proximity to the inlet connectors to remove the cooled liquid transfer medium from the cooling duct; (g) a liquid feed line connected by a releasable connection to each inlet connector for supplying the cooled liquid transfer medium from the connection unit to the cooling duct; and h) a liquid return line coupled to each outlet connector by a releasable connection for transferring the cooled liquid transfer medium through the cooling conduits to the connection unit and for returning it to the cooling unit for re-cooling. A vertical cabinet according to claim 11, characterized in that the inlet and outlet terminals are closely adjacent to each other. A vertical cabinet according to claim 12, characterized in that the inlet and outlet connectors are arranged along the length of the shelves. A vertical cabinet according to claim 11, characterized in that the inlet and outlet terminals are releasably connected to the shelves by means of quick-coupling fittings. 15. A vertical cabinet for conducting cooling and heating of the food in the cabinet, comprising rectangular racks arranged vertically spaced apart in the vertical cabinet, the shelves being made of conductive material, the racks being provided with liquid and heat transfer means. the shelves are heated or cooled; inlet and outlet connectors - 49 are located along the long side of the shelves for discharging the liquid transfer medium into and out of the heating or cooling means; the cabinet has a coupling unit that directs the liquid transfer medium to a heating element when the cabinet is in heating mode or the liquid transfer medium to a cooling unit when the cabinet is in cooling mode; the cooling unit is connected to the cabinet for cooling the liquid transfer medium when the cabinet is in cooling mode; the heating element being connected to the cabinet when the cabinet is in heating mode, characterized in that the racks (86) are provided with quick-release fittings (90) for fast fixing and quickly removing the shelves (80) from the cabinet (80). comprising plug portions (88) fitting to socket parts (110), wherein, when removing the shelves (86) from the cabinet (80), the socket portions (110) are separated from the plug portions (88) so as to prevent 86) and fluid losses from the plug portions (88) and prevent air from entering the feed lines (82) and return pipes (84). 16. Vertical cabinet for wire cooling and heating, containing: (a) a plurality of shelves, spaced vertically in the cabinet, spaced apart by spaced shelves made of conductive material; b) a heating or cooling means disposed in each shelf for passing a fluid transfer medium for heating or cooling the support shelves; c) a cooling unit is connected to the cabinet for cooling the liquid transfer medium when the cabinet is in cooling mode; d) a heating element is connected to the cabinet for heating the liquid transmission medium when the cabinet is in heating mode; and e) a junction unit is provided at the cabinet which directs the liquid transfer medium to the heater when the cabinet is in heating mode or to the liquid transfer medium to the cooling unit when the cabinet is in cooling mode. 17. Vertical cabinet for transferring heat or cold to food in cabinet, containing: (a) a plurality of racks arranged vertically spaced in the vertical cupboard for the storage of food in the cupboard, which are made of conductive material; (b) means for heating or cooling each shelf comprising a serpentine device, the device being structurally integral with each shelf, wherein at least 65% of the straight portion of the serration device is parallel to the length of the shelf; (c) a connection unit at the rear of the cabinet having valves and piping for diverting and flowing the liquid transmission medium through the enclosure, the diverting being dependent upon the temperature switch of the cabinet being set to heating or cooling; d) a cooling unit connected to the connection unit via an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe, wherein the cooling unit cools the liquid transfer medium when the cabinet is in cooling mode, the inlet piping further transports the cooled liquid transfer medium to the connecting unit, and and the outlet duct returning the liquid transfer medium from the cabinet and the connection unit to the refrigeration unit for cooling; e) an energy flow heating element at the upper end of the cabinet to flow the heated liquid transfer medium through the cabinet shelves when the cabinet is in the heating mode; (f) inlet and outlet connectors along the length of the shelves for the discharge of liquid medium into and out of heating or cooling means; (g) supply lines inside the cabinet to which the inlet plugs are releasably connected to flow the fluid transfer medium from the energy flow element or connection unit to the heating or cooling means; and (h) return ducts inside the cabinet to which the outlet connectors are removably coupled to direct the fluid transfer medium from the heating or cooling means to the energy flow element or to the connection means.